The director of tennis programs for Peoria's Clubs at River City, Lintala had missed several scheduled meetings and appointments Wednesday, prompting friends and co-workers to check his home.

Peoria County coroner Johnna Ingersoll said Lintala, a native of the Cleveland, Ohio, area, had medical records indicating a history of heart issues. Ingersoll completed an autopsy Thursday afternoon and said Lintala likely died of heart disease, and noted toxicology test results will follow.

Lintala's family plans to bury him in Ohio.

"It's tragic for us, everyone loved Doug," said former Richwoods High School tennis star and multiple Tri-County Tennis champion Steve McRaven. "I called his phone last night just so I could hear his voice on his voicemail one last time. We've been getting text messages from all over the country from former Peoria area tennis players.

"Doug taught and mentored so many kids in tennis circles here. I first met him when I was 11, and I can remember so many stories he'd tell.

"We're just heartbroken."

Lintala was head tennis pro at the Country Club of Hudson (Ohio) until 1984, when he was brought in as tennis director at the Springfield Racquet Club.

He moved to Peoria in 1988 and began a 25-year career at Clubs of River City.

Lintala taught or advised hundreds of young players, was devoted to the Middle Illinois Tennis Association and worked as an advisor to the Journal Star's annual Tri-County Tennis Tournament in addition to his pro duties at River City.

He was instrumental in the career of former Richwoods tennis star, University of Illinois player and now St. Louis University tennis coach Jon Zych, who underwent major back surgery early in his career.

"Doug is the one who got me back to playing competitive tennis again," Zych said. "We spent long hours on Court No. 5 at Clubs of River City-North, as he pushed me through rehab and playing again.

"On Friday, my St. Louis team is coming to Peoria to play Bradley University. And the match is at the same complex, on that same court. It is such an irony. I'll be thinking of all the stories Doug told, all the mentoring he did, all that he did for me there."

Lintala was an interesting combination of professional tennis, teacher, a world-ranked darts player on the side, and a sharp sense of humor.

"He could throw darts better than anyone -- literally and verbally," Zych said. "He was so funny, people loved to be around him and hear his stories. I feel so fortunate to have had all those moments with him.

"He was a positive influence on my career and on my life. He was my coach, then he was my boss, but always he was my friend.

"He lived 54 years, but he touched enough hearts to last an eternity."

Dave Eminian covers the Rivermen for the Journal Star. Reach him at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.